After three seasons at Tennessee, edge rusher James Pearce Jr. introduced on Wednesday that he’s leaving faculty early to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 243 kilos, many anticipate Pearce to be one of many first edge rushers taken off the board throughout this 12 months’s NFL Draft in a number of months.
In 13 video games with the Volunteers this previous season, he gathered a complete of 55 pressures, 38 tackles, 7.5 sacks and one pressured fumble.
In comparison with the remainder of the defenders throughout the nation through the 2024 season, Pearce ranked thirteenth in complete pressures, sixth in pass-rushing win share and second in complete hurries.
His greatest efficiency of the 2024 marketing campaign occurred throughout Tennessee’s huge win over Alabama on Oct. 19. In that matchup, Pearce made a big impact as he racked up a complete of 10 pressures and 1.5 sacks.
With Pearce’s assist, the Volunteers had been in a position to end their common season with a 10-2 document and qualify for one of many 12 spots within the 2024 Faculty Soccer Playoff. Sadly, Tennessee’s desires of profitable a nationwide championship had been shortly crushed when they were defeated within the first spherical by Ohio State.
It will likely be fascinating to see when Pearce is chosen through the 2025 NFL Draft. ESPN currently has him ranked because the eighth-best accessible prospect and the fourth-best edge rusher behind Penn State’s Abdul Carter, Georgia’s Mykel Williams, and Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton.
In his most up-to-date mock draft, ESPN’s Jordan Reid has the Cincinnati Bengals choosing Pearce with the 17th overall pick. Reid described the previous Volunteers defender as “a lean, ultra-quick cross rusher who can race round blockers with ease.”
In the course of the subsequent few months, Pearce could have the chance to enhance his draft inventory by collaborating in occasions just like the 2025 NFL Scouting Mix and Tennessee’s professional day.
If he exams properly at these occasions and impresses groups in his interviews, do not be shocked if he finally finally ends up being one of many first 10 gamers chosen on this 12 months’s draft.
